Darts, shuffleboard and karaoke coming to The Cotton Works as Factory Floor launches in Wigan
Factory Floor is set to open this spring at The Cotton Works in Wigan, bringing darts, shuffleboard, karaoke, beer pong and other games to the town.
The Heaton Group has transformed part of the landmark mill building, formerly Eckersley Mills, into a large-scale social venue that combines games, street food, bars and late-night entertainment. The venue will host around 350 guests and feature retro arcade machines alongside seven interactive games for a mix of nostalgic and modern fun.
At the centre of Factory Floor is a feature bar surrounded by flexible social areas that transition seamlessly from relaxed daytime sessions to a lively evening atmosphere. The kitchen will be led by the team behind Super Fry Guys, who run Factory Floor’s sister venue Feast at The Mills, introducing a new food concept called Feed.
As night falls, the venue will transform into a party setting with DJs, dancers, disco lighting and immersive production, creating a late-night experience unlike anything currently in Wigan. Over time, Factory Floor is also planned to evolve into more of a food hall-style space, with some games making way for independent food traders and a stage area, creating an ever-changing social hub.
The venue will create 20 new jobs, bringing The Heaton Group’s hospitality team to a total of 60 employees. Factory Floor joins a growing number of independent brands already based at The Cotton Works, including The Three Mills pub, outdoor food and drink market Feast at The Mills, and Weave Co Working, which opened in summer 2025.
The building itself has a rich history. Mill One, built in 1884, was the first mill on the site and part of what became one of the largest cotton mill complexes in the region. At its peak, it housed more than 230,000 ring spindles and nearly 1,700 looms, with thousands of workers passing through its doors every day. In recent years, parts of the mill had fallen into disrepair, but The Heaton Group has restored the space while preserving its industrial character, including exposed brickwork and original iron beams.
John Heaton, Managing Director of The Heaton Group, said: “Factory Floor is all about bringing people together for shared experiences in a setting that feels both exciting and rooted in Wigan’s history. Eckersley Mill has an incredible story, and we’re proud to be part of its next chapter.
“This investment allows us to create something completely new for the town; a place where you can play, eat, drink and celebrate under one roof, from daytime socials through to late-night parties. The Cotton Works is already building a strong community, and Factory Floor will add another major layer to that, strengthening it as a destination venue in the North West.”
The Cotton Works is one of the largest brownfield regeneration sites in the North West under single ownership, with a long-term vision to blend heritage architecture with modern leisure, hospitality and workspace.
Further details, including confirmed traders, will be announced in the coming weeks.
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